PUMP up your time management skills for college

Time management is a critical skill for college success, and luckily it is a skill that can be learned, practiced and crafted to meet your specific needs and lifestyle.
Follow this PUMP guide (Prep, Unplug, Minimize, and Prioritize & Plan) and watch your productivity skyrocket.

Prep – This includes preparing everything you need for the week.
• Prep your meals by cooking on Sunday and portioning out food for the week. You can also utilize crock pot recipes as another time saver. As an added bonus you are saving money and eating healthier! See these great tips: Food prep for beginners
• If you have children, have their clothes, lunches, backpacks, permission slips, and signed homework, etc. complete the night before. No missing shoes causing chaos in the morning!
• Prepare a clean, organized, and quiet study space. Have folders handy for each class.
• Prepare your weekly To Do list, and don’t be afraid to delegate some tasks.

Unplug – To maximize your productivity, unplug! Have an allotted time each day where there are no distractions. This means no phone, social media, Netflix, television, or video games.
• Let your family and friends know that between certain hours you will be unavailable while you are studying.
• You may need to “unplug” from your home to find a less distracting place to study. This way laundry, dirty dishes, unexpected visitors or a barking dog won’t distract you from your studies.
• Make sure to set reasonable time limits and reward yourself for reaching your goals with things like a latte, a Facebook splurge, or a game of Call of Duty! Find what works for you.
• You may want to plug into classical music while studying. Studies have shown that learning, memory, and mood may be enhanced while listening. See this article:
Science Daily: Classical Music and Brain Function

Minimize – In order to maximize your time and productivity some things may need to be minimized.
• Clubs, organizations, and volunteer activities are all important ways to engage, contribute to our communities and strengthen our resumes. The key is to not overcommit. Find one or two things that you are passionate about and throw yourself into them.
• Find shorter workout programs. Check out this seven-minute workout app.
• Social activities should not interfere with your goals. Missing deadlines, stressing at the last minute and not turning in quality work are signs your social activities may need to be adjusted.
• Minimize and confront procrastination. It’s human nature to put unpleasant or overwhelming tasks off. To help alleviate procrastination, try getting started. Once you get started, the energy starts flowing and you may find it easier to continue. If procrastination is due to confusion or feeling stuck, reach out for guidance. Instructors, classmates, tutors and maybe even family members can help get you started or back on track. Don’t forget to reward yourself when you reach your goals.
• Parents can minimize time away from their children by having study sessions together. It’s a great way for all of you to have specific, quiet study time. Take them with you to the library or coffee shop and reward yourselves with a treat after, or computer time for the kids.

Plan and Prioritize –
• You must utilize a time management tool. Planners, calendars, smart devices, apps, dry erase boards, day-timers and online tools like Google Calendar are some of the many choices. Find what works best for you and USE it daily to build good time management habits. Check out these Time Management apps.
• Start by adding in all of your major tasks for the day, week, and month such as classes, assignment due dates, work, doctor appointments, church, and major events. From here you can plan around these non-negotiable items. Block out times for studying and homework, as well as free time. Don’t forget to give yourself enough lead time for those big papers, projects, or exams. Break the tasks up into manageable chunks to meet deadlines.
• Prioritize your tasks. Take your To Do list and prioritize with a system like (A, B, C), (1, 2, 3) or color coding. Mark items as crucial, important, or low priority.
• Plan your optimal study times. Are you an early bird or a night owl? You will have the most energy and be the most productive during your optimal time.
• Make sleep a priority. Most need seven to eight hours of sleep in order to feel and function at your best.
• Plan and anticipate for emergencies like car trouble, illness, internet and laptop issues, or your sitter quitting. Do you have back-up plans or a cushion to keep on track?

For more information about our new QEP initiative, Ready, Set, Succeed, you can view our web site at qep.spcollege.edu.